Reply to: Contracting and holidays

[Wanderer]

Actually, that's PRECISELY what it is, OUR BUSINESS......
You should remember that really, especially given that your contract is with the agency, and the client company has nothing to do with you!

Pffft. I've never told an agency when I'm going to be taking time off work. None of their business.

[thunderlizard]

I am ignoring a couple of people, but only ones who go on and on without ever actually posting anything about contracting. TAV's posts are generally relevant, often enlightening, and only occasionally jaw-droppingly objectionable.

[nomadd]

I assume that's a little tongue in cheek. Try insisting that the next contractor you hire works at your premises, and that all his communications with the client (including code check-ins etc.) go via you, and see how long you remain sane!

Amazing how many people on this forum haven't found the "ignore" feature yet.

It's been keeping the regular trolls, like TAV, out of my sight for weeks now.

[thunderlizard]

Actually, that's PRECISELY what it is, OUR BUSINESS......
You should remember that really, especially given that your contract is with the agency, and the client company has nothing to do with you!

I assume that's a little tongue in cheek. Try insisting that the next contractor you hire works at your premises, and that all his communications with the client (including code check-ins etc.) go via you, and see how long you remain sane!

[SueEllen]

Actually, that's PRECISELY what it is, OUR BUSINESS......
You should remember that really, especially given that your contract is with the agency, and the client company has nothing to do with you!

While it may look like that on paper it doesn't exactly work like that, which you know from IR35 investigations.

If the client is happy with a contractor and they want to have 2 days of a month for 3 months in a 6 month contract and it doesn't effect the deliverables, then why would you sack the contractor?

You could quite easily lose the client to a different agency if you did.

Remember there are a lot of contractors who find other contractors, or tell the management of a company to avoid particular agencies.

[jmo21]

Actually, that's PRECISELY what it is, OUR BUSINESS......
You should remember that really, especially given that your contract is with the agency, and the client company has nothing to do with you!

Of course this is technically correct, but you get your slice - I'll say again, if the client is happy for me to take the time off.... what has it got to do with you?

Would you sack the contractor? Even though the client co was perfectly happy?

Again, the time period's you mention are excessive and highly unlikely, but the point stands.

[The Agents View]

If the client doesn't mind (and yes, that is excessive) it's none of your business! You're involved, but that's about it.

Actually, that's PRECISELY what it is, OUR BUSINESS......
You should remember that really, especially given that your contract is with the agency, and the client company has nothing to do with you!

[jmo21]

But we do realise that you are humans, and that humans need a holiday, so won't generally get shirty unless you start taking 4 weeks off at a time, 3 times a year, on a full time 12 month contract!

If the client doesn't mind (and yes, that is excessive) it's none of your business! You're involved, but that's about it.

[The Agents View]

That means nothing.

BTW clients don't seem to mind if you have holidays particularly short ones, but if you go through an agency they mind as if you don't work they don't get paid.

But we do realise that you are humans, and that humans need a holiday, so won't generally get shirty unless you start taking 4 weeks off at a time, 3 times a year, on a full time 12 month contract!

[SueEllen]

. I have an interview for a contract lined up with a client just around the corner with a six month initial

That means nothing.

The client can if the project gets binned or delayed terminate you at a moments notice.

Happened to me at one of my last contracts. (Didn't matter as I got another one shortly afterwards.)

.
and then rolling on a rate of £225pd (I know it isn't as much as developers or others on here but its more than I'm on now), but thats £4725 per month less coroporation tax at 21% (after paying myself NMW).

Please read all the first timer guides that there are links to, and get yourself an accountant who deals with contractors as you don't need to pay yourself NMW.

.
From other threads on here I'll be under the limit for paying higher rate tax on my dividends, hopefully going forward this will be different as my contracting experience and rates increase but my first contract is near to home and with one of the big utility companies so it seems like a good first step.

Also depending on how much your spouse earns you can take less out of your company meaning if you are out of work for a year or more you have your expenses covered.

And yes being out of work that long happens caused by things including serious illness of a close relation which means you have to look after them, to just being on the bench that long.

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I know that being a contactor means I wont get paid for holidays or sickness, hence my need to start putting some cash aside, the extra money for the honeymoon comment was a bit tougue in cheek

There is more to it than that.

It's a different way of thinking.

BTW clients don't seem to mind if you have holidays particularly short ones, but if you go through an agency they mind as if you don't work they don't get paid.

[curtis]

I always tell the client in the interview if I need to take time off that I am aware of. I never tell the agent as like someone else said I want to get to the interview stage and given how funny agents can be at the smallest thing I don't mention it to them.

This way if after letting the client know in the interview if its an issue they just don't offer me the role (to be honest I may never know that was the actually reason they did not choose me anyhow, someone else may just have been better) but if its not an issue then fine.

[jmo21]

for long-ish contracts, you should be fine.

If you know the holiday would be in month 3 of a 6 monther, I wouldn't even mention it until in the door - that being said they may ask you up front.

If sooner, I'd mention it at the interview so that they are aware up front - not to the agent before hand, I want to make sure I get the interview first.

For shorter contracts, you may be fine, but the chances are a 2 week holiday might not suit client co, but again, I wouldn't tell the agent and would mention it in the interview.

[Scrag Meister]

Hello,

I am currently a permie and am tempted to go over to the dark side of IT, contracting. However, I am getting married in June this year and will need a couple of weeks off, if I am offered a 6 month contract this will overlap with my wedding plans. Do contracts include terms for time off? I imagine contractors go on holiday too...

Thanks,

Dan

I was in exactly the same position last year, started new contract Mid May, wedding end of June with a 2 week honeymoon afterwards. I informed the client at the interview and they were just fine with it.

[DanielAnthony]

Thanks NorthernladUK,

Luckily the wedding is all paid for now, so not too worried about that side of things; getting a warchest together will be my top priority once I start. From my reading on here and elsewhere I need to ensure I am outside IR35 and will start my own Ltd company, that way I can maximise my warchest for periods on the bench. I have an interview for a contract lined up with a client just around the corner with a six month initial and then rolling on a rate of £225pd (I know it isn't as much as developers or others on here but its more than I'm on now), but thats £4725 per month less coroporation tax at 21% (after paying myself NMW). From other threads on here I'll be under the limit for paying higher rate tax on my dividends, hopefully going forward this will be different as my contracting experience and rates increase but my first contract is near to home and with one of the big utility companies so it seems like a good first step. I know that being a contactor means I wont get paid for holidays or sickness, hence my need to start putting some cash aside, the extra money for the honeymoon comment was a bit tougue in cheek

[JimmyJames]

northernladuk - WHS. I switched from permie to contract last August and Christmas was the first time that I felt comfortable that I can think about not working (In the time between I lived off less than when I was permie - and I will at least until April). The first months are more about putting money aside rather than spending. I've a number of friends that have contracted for quite a few years and the best advise that I got before switching was to make sure you've got at least 3 months money to survive without getting paid.

Another bit of advice is to work out earnings based on only working a maximum of 180 days a year.